American, Alaska, Southwest: Who Came Out on Top?

American, Alaska, Southwest: Who Came Out on Top?

Author: Skift July 31, 2025 Duration: 32:20
Today hosts Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat discuss the latest earnings reports from major U.S. airlines, focusing on the performance of American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. They analyze the factors affecting profitability, including operating margins, domestic exposure, labor costs, and market dynamics. The conversation also touches on the upcoming European airline earnings and the competitive landscape in the airline industry. Takeaways Delta and United reported strong operating margins of 13% and 12%. American Airlines' operating margin was 8%, indicating challenges ahead. Southwest Airlines reported a disappointing 3% margin, half of last year's performance. Non-fuel costs have significantly increased for airlines, impacting profitability. Premium travel demand remains strong, benefiting airlines like Delta and United. American Airlines has a higher domestic exposure compared to its competitors. A distribution misstep has negatively affected American Airlines' performance. American Airlines faces a credit card contract disadvantage compared to Delta and United. Alaska Airlines is performing well, with a strong loyalty program and corporate travel exposure. The upcoming European airline earnings reports are highly anticipated. Connect with Airline WeeklyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.

Step inside the Airline Weekly Lounge, a podcast from Skift where the editors behind the industry publication gather for a deeper, more conversational look at the world of commercial flight. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a focused exploration of the complex forces shaping how airlines operate, compete, and ultimately survive. Each episode digs into the week's most intriguing developments, from fleet strategies and route networks to labor dynamics and the evolving culture of travel, always with a keen eye on the bottom line. The central, driving question remains: how do carriers actually turn a profit in this famously volatile business? You'll hear analysis that connects financial results to real-world operations, discussing everything from premium cabin innovations and loyalty program economics to airport politics and environmental pressures. The tone is informed and accessible, peeling back the layers on both major global network carriers and regional players. For anyone curious about the business realities behind their boarding pass, this podcast offers a regular dose of context and clarity, revealing the intricate balance of economics, service, and strategy that keeps the industry aloft. Join the editors in the lounge for a perspective that goes beyond the news cycle.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 423

Airline Weekly Lounge
Podcast Episodes
The Data That Can Help Airlines Recover Faster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:33
Expedia Vice President Air Partnerships Julie Kyse joins the Airline Weekly Lounge to let us know how data can help airlines recover. We will be on hiatus until the first week of January. Enjoy your holidays, no matter h…
How an Airport Adapts to a Pandemic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:57
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport moved quickly to safeguard public health when the coronavirus began to spread in the U.S. What changes will be permanent? CEO Sean Donohue explains in this week's episode. To parti…
It's Not Just Airlines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:22
The airline industry is just one part of the larger travel ecosystem, and no one sector has been immune to the effects of a once-in-a-century pandemic. Skift Hospitality Reporter Cameron Sperance joins us for a state-of-…
Connecting the Through Lines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:56
Last week Skift and the Airline Weekly team hosted our first conference devoted to aviation. Guests including Southwest CEO and Chairman Gary Kelly, Air France CEO Anne Rigali, and Air Lease Corp. Executive Chairman Stev…
Airlines' Covid Innovations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:26
Brett "Cranky Flier" Snyder joins Airline Weekly Lounge Live after trying Hawaiian Airlines' new rapid-response test from LAX. The process, aimed to allow travelers to avoid Hawaii's 14-day quarantine, was confusing, he…
The Case for More Payroll Support [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:05
Capt. Joe DePete, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, argues that airlines are critical infrastructure, and pilots are essential workers. The industry needs more federal support in order to ensure it can bounce…
What Next for the MAX? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
Boeing's grounded 737 MAX has been in the news a bunch recently, with European regulators and some airlines predicting it will be back in the air by year's end. What regulatory steps remain before the FAA approves it for…
Hotels, Airlines and the Pandemic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:20
Airline Weekly Editor Madhu Unnikrishnan is joined by Skift hospitality reporter Cameron Sperance to discuss the state of leisure and business travel. Join events like this live by registering at https://forum.skift.com/…
Pandemic Passenger Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:16
PaxEx.aero founder Seth Miller joins us live from Philadelphia International Airport for an update on the passenger experience during this pandemic. The pandemic provides both opportunity and risk for airlines and their…
The Problem for Singapore Airlines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:37
Few other airlines were as associated with luxury intercontinental travel than Singapore Airlines was before the pandemic. But when Covid travel restrictions went into force, Singapore's core business all but evaporated,…